Guard of Honour for Mandela

A Guard of Honour — a privilege normally reserved for Heads of State — will be given to the honourable gentleman from South Africa, Nelson Mandela, in recognition of his tremendous worth and the contribution he has made to the development of human society. Mandela arrives in Trinidad and Tobago today. The former South African President, who has orthopaedic problems, will land at Piarco at 3 pm after 13 hours of flying directly from South Africa. Mandela is subjecting himself to a hectic schedule, having taken part in his country’s celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of the end of apartheid last weekend.

Therefore there were health concerns by the South African High Commissioner that the original programme planned by Government and CONCACAF was too rigorous for the 86-year-old Mandela. Chief of Protocol, Carl Francis admitted the High Commissioner was concerned about the “amount of movement” required of Mandela in the original programme and that Government, “cognisant of the mobility issues” had to vary the airport programme. Prime Minister Patrick Manning would head the list of VIPs at the airport to welcome Mandela. Archbishop Desmond Tutu would arrive on a separate commercial BWIA flight via London.

Mandela would be taken on an official ride along Golden Grove Road, turning onto the Eastern Main Road into Port-of-Spain. The entourage would drive along South Quay into Broadway, travelling up Frederick Street (which would be closed to all other traffic) around the Queen’s Park Savannah to the Hilton Trinidad.  People are being asked to line the routes to greet the South African dignitary. Later today, Mandela will be the guest of honour at a state function at President’s House. He is expected to speak at this event. Before this, the President and Mandela would spend some time in the state lounge where there would be a presentation of gifts. Tomorrow, Mandela pays a courtesy call on the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader, Basdeo Panday. A special Stateroom is being prepared at Whitehall for Mandela’s visit. Photographers have been requested not to use cameras with flash because it makes Mandela uncomfortable.

Tomorrow Mandela is also expected to speak at a massive rally at the Oval. Some 10,000 children are being bussed from all over the country. There is also provision for 10,000 adults, who would be required to pick up admission tickets to get into the Oval. Anyone can collect a ticket, which is free of charge and available on a first-come first-served basis. There is still some doubt as to whether Mandela would ride in an open-back Fire Services Jeep around the Oval or whether he would be ushered to one spot from where he would address the crowd. According to Terry Joseph, who spoke on behalf of Concacaf, a lot would depend on the weather. The entertainment at the Oval includes Rosalind Gabriel’s children’s band, Machel Montano, Denyse Plummer, Shiv Shakti Dancers, Singing Sandra and a steelband.

In the party of nine who will be accompanying Mandela is 2010 South Africa World Cup bid committee CEO, Danny Jordaan. Mandela and Tutu are in the region to drum up support for South Africa’s bid to host the next World Cup. Mandela, who is also known for his sympathy for AIDS sufferers, especially children, will visit the Cyril Ross Home in Tunapuna tomorrow. He would be the guest of honour at a fund-raising dinner held by CONCACAF in support of the building fund for the Cyril Ross Home. Mandela visits Tobago on Saturday before leaving for Grenada.